Reviewed by Our Dental Expert Team DDS Independent dentist providing online second opinions.Reviewed by Our Dental Expert Team DDS Independent dentist providing online second opinions.

Tooth Pain Comes and Goes — What It Means & When You Should Worry

If your tooth pain comes and goes, you're not imagining things — and you're not alone.If your tooth pain comes and goes, you're not imagining things — and you're not alone.

Intermittent tooth pain is one of the most common and most misunderstood dental symptoms, and it often leads to unnecessary or rushed treatment recommendations.Intermittent tooth pain is one of the most common and most misunderstood dental symptoms, and it often leads to unnecessary or rushed treatment recommendations.

In many cases, pain that appears suddenly and then disappears is not a dental emergency and does not automatically mean you need a root canal or crown.In many cases, pain that appears suddenly and then disappears is not a dental emergency and does not automatically mean you need a root canal or crown.

This guide explains the most common causes of intermittent tooth pain, how dentists diagnose it, and when it's smart to get a second opinion before agreeing to treatment.This guide explains the most common causes of intermittent tooth pain, how dentists diagnose it, and when it's smart to get a second opinion before agreeing to treatment.

Quick Answer

Tooth pain that comes and goes is usually caused by bite issues, cracks, gum inflammation, or early decay — not a dying nerve.Tooth pain that comes and goes is usually caused by bite issues, cracks, gum inflammation, or early decay — not a dying nerve.

Pain from a true nerve infection is usually:Pain from a true nerve infection is usually:

• ConstantConstant
• ProgressiveProgressive
• Worse at nightWorse at night
• Associated with swellingAssociated with swelling

Intermittent pain behaves differently.Intermittent pain behaves differently.

Common Causes of Tooth Pain That Comes and Goes

Below are the most frequent reasons dentists see this symptom, ranked by likelihood.Below are the most frequent reasons dentists see this symptom, ranked by likelihood.

1. High Bite (Very Common, Often Missed)

If your tooth hurts only when you bite down — especially after dental work — the bite may be slightly off. This is similar to the pain described in Tooth Hurts When Chewing — Causes & When to Get a Second Opinion.

Signs:Signs:

• Pain only when chewingPain only when chewing
• Pain started after a filling or crownPain started after a filling or crown
• Tooth feels "taller" than othersTooth feels "taller" than others
• Pain improves when you avoid that sidePain improves when you avoid that side

Treatment:Treatment:

• Simple bite adjustment (takes minutes)Simple bite adjustment (takes minutes)
• No drilling, no injectionsNo drilling, no injections

This is one of the most overtreated causes of tooth pain.This is one of the most overtreated causes of tooth pain.

2. Cracked Tooth or Cracked Filling

Small cracks can open and close under pressure, causing sharp pain that comes and goes.Small cracks can open and close under pressure, causing sharp pain that comes and goes.

Signs:Signs:

• Sharp pain when biting or releasing pressureSharp pain when biting or releasing pressure
• Pain is inconsistentPain is inconsistent
• Pain triggered by hard or crunchy foodsPain triggered by hard or crunchy foods

Treatment depends on crack depth:Treatment depends on crack depth:

• Minor crack → filling or bondingMinor crack → filling or bonding
• Moderate crack → onlay or crownModerate crack → onlay or crown
• Deep crack → more advanced treatmentDeep crack → more advanced treatment

Not all cracks require crowns or root canals.Not all cracks require crowns or root canals.

3. Gum Inflammation or Food Trapping

Inflamed gums can create pressure pain that feels like it's coming from the tooth.Inflamed gums can create pressure pain that feels like it's coming from the tooth.

Signs:Signs:

• Pain near the gumlinePain near the gumline
• Bleeding when flossingBleeding when flossing
• Pain improves after cleaningPain improves after cleaning

Treatment:Treatment:

• Improved flossingImproved flossing
• Professional cleaningProfessional cleaning
• Saltwater rinsesSaltwater rinses

No major dental treatment needed.No major dental treatment needed.

4. Early or Moderate Tooth Decay

Cavities that haven't reached the nerve can cause occasional pain, especially with chewing or sweets.Cavities that haven't reached the nerve can cause occasional pain, especially with chewing or sweets.

Important:Important:

• Early decay usually needs a filling, not a root canalEarly decay usually needs a filling, not a root canal
• Pain may come and go for monthsPain may come and go for months

5. Sinus Pressure (Upper Teeth Only)

Your upper back teeth sit directly below the sinus cavity.Your upper back teeth sit directly below the sinus cavity.

Signs:Signs:

• Pain affects multiple upper teethPain affects multiple upper teeth
• Worse with allergies or coldsWorse with allergies or colds
• Pressure when bending forwardPressure when bending forward

Treat the sinus issue first — dental treatment is often unnecessary.Treat the sinus issue first — dental treatment is often unnecessary.

6. Teeth Grinding or Clenching

Grinding places repeated stress on teeth and the surrounding ligament.Grinding places repeated stress on teeth and the surrounding ligament.

Signs:Signs:

• Morning jaw sorenessMorning jaw soreness
• Tooth pain without visible decayTooth pain without visible decay
• Worn or flattened teethWorn or flattened teeth

Treatment:Treatment:

• NightguardNightguard
• Stress managementStress management
• Bite evaluationBite evaluation

When Intermittent Pain Is Unlikely to Be a Root Canal Issue

Root canal pain typically includes:Root canal pain typically includes:

• Constant throbbingConstant throbbing
• Pain that wakes you up at nightPain that wakes you up at night
• Lingering heat sensitivityLingering heat sensitivity
• Swelling or pusSwelling or pus
• Pain that worsens over timePain that worsens over time

If your pain:If your pain:

• Comes and goesComes and goes
• Is only triggered by chewingIs only triggered by chewing
• Disappears for days or weeksDisappears for days or weeks

→ a root canal is usually not the first or best solution.→ a root canal is usually not the first or best solution.

For more information about when a root canal is truly necessary, see Do I Really Need a Root Canal?.

Why This Symptom Is Often Misdiagnosed

Intermittent tooth pain is challenging because:Intermittent tooth pain is challenging because:

• X-rays don't show cracks wellX-rays don't show cracks well
• Bite problems are often overlookedBite problems are often overlooked
• Dentists may treat "just in case"Dentists may treat "just in case"
• Time pressure in busy clinicsTime pressure in busy clinics

This leads to overtreatment, especially crowns and root canals that may not have been necessary.This leads to overtreatment, especially crowns and root canals that may not have been necessary.

How Dentists Properly Diagnose Intermittent Tooth Pain

A thorough evaluation should include:A thorough evaluation should include:

• Bite testing on individual cuspsBite testing on individual cusps
• Cold sensitivity testingCold sensitivity testing
• Tapping (percussion) testTapping (percussion) test
• Bite alignment checkBite alignment check
• X-ray reviewX-ray review
• Review of recent dental workReview of recent dental work

If these steps weren't done, the diagnosis may be incomplete.If these steps weren't done, the diagnosis may be incomplete.

When You Can Safely Wait

You can usually monitor the tooth if:You can usually monitor the tooth if:

• Pain is mild and infrequentPain is mild and infrequent
• No swelling is presentNo swelling is present
• No feverNo fever
• Pain is triggered only by chewingPain is triggered only by chewing
• Symptoms improve on their ownSymptoms improve on their own

Waiting does not usually cause harm in these cases.Waiting does not usually cause harm in these cases.

When You Should Seek Prompt Care

Get dental care quickly if:Get dental care quickly if:

• Pain becomes constantPain becomes constant
• Swelling appearsSwelling appears
• Fever developsFever develops
• Pain spreads to the face or jawPain spreads to the face or jaw
• You can't chew at allYou can't chew at all

These may indicate infection.These may indicate infection.

When to Get a Second Opinion

A second opinion is especially smart if:A second opinion is especially smart if:

• A root canal was recommended immediatelyA root canal was recommended immediately
• You were told you need multiple treatmentsYou were told you need multiple treatments
• The diagnosis didn't match your symptomsThe diagnosis didn't match your symptoms
• You felt rushed or pressuredYou felt rushed or pressured
• You weren't shown clear X-raysYou weren't shown clear X-rays

Intermittent pain is one of the top reasons patients benefit from an independent review.Intermittent pain is one of the top reasons patients benefit from an independent review.

If you're considering getting a second opinion, learn more about getting an online dental second opinion.

How ToothCheck Can Help

At ToothCheck, experienced US dentists review:At ToothCheck, experienced US dentists review:

• Your symptomsYour symptoms
• X-raysX-rays
• Treatment recommendationsTreatment recommendations

You receive:You receive:

• Clear explanationClear explanation
• Confirmation or alternativesConfirmation or alternatives
• Urgency guidanceUrgency guidance
• Confidence scoreConfidence score

Most reviews are completed within 24 hours.Most reviews are completed within 24 hours.

FAQ

Why does my tooth hurt sometimes but feel fine other days?Why does my tooth hurt sometimes but feel fine other days?

Because many causes (bite issues, cracks, inflammation) are pressure-dependent.Because many causes (bite issues, cracks, inflammation) are pressure-dependent.

Can this pain go away on its own?Can this pain go away on its own?

Yes — especially if caused by bite or gum issues.Yes — especially if caused by bite or gum issues.

Should I avoid chewing on that side?Should I avoid chewing on that side?

Yes, until the cause is identified.Yes, until the cause is identified.

Can X-rays miss the problem?Can X-rays miss the problem?

Yes — cracks and bite issues often don't show clearly.Yes — cracks and bite issues often don't show clearly.

Final Advice

Tooth pain that comes and goes is a warning sign — but the cause matters.Tooth pain that comes and goes is a warning sign — but the cause matters.

Before committing to irreversible dental treatment, it's reasonable to get clarity.Before committing to irreversible dental treatment, it's reasonable to get clarity.

Upload your X-rays to ToothCheck and get an independent dental second opinion within 24 hours.Upload your X-rays to ToothCheck and get an independent dental second opinion within 24 hours.

Last medically reviewed: January 2025Last medically reviewed: January 2025